Bhubaneswar- At least six people, including four passengers and two crew members, were injured on Saturday after a nine-seater aircraft made an emergency landing in a field about 10 km from the Rourkela airstrip in Odisha, officials said.
The IndiaOne Air aircraft, a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX (registration VT-KSS), was operating a scheduled regional connectivity flight from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar when it developed a critical technical problem shortly before landing.
Authorities confirmed that all six occupants — four passengers and two crew members — were on board when the aircraft made a controlled, or soft, landing. The pilot suffered serious injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“The aircraft reported a technical malfunction moments before its scheduled landing. Emergency protocols were activated immediately after the pilot alerted air traffic control,” a senior district official said.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concern over the incident and instructed the administration to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured.
Local villagers were the first to reach the crash site and helped rescue passengers trapped inside the aircraft. Police and medical teams from Rourkela arrived soon after and transported the injured to a government hospital.
While the four passengers reportedly sustained minor fractures and bruises and are in stable condition, the pilot’s condition was stated to be critical.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft’s engine stalled mid-air, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing on open ground on the outskirts of the city to avoid a residential area. The aircraft is operated by a private company and is regularly used for regional flights.
Aviation experts said the pilot’s decision to steer the aircraft toward an open field likely averted a major disaster. Debris from the crash site has been secured for investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
With inputs from IANS